Synergistic herbicidal compositions of S-metolachlor

ABSTRACT

Herbicidal compositions comprising S-metolachlor and at least one additional herbicide selected from atrazine, terbuthylazine, flumetsulan, pendimethalin, metosulam, pyridate, glyphosate, glufosinate, cyanazine, dicamba, halosulfuron, prosulfuron, primisulfuron, sulcotrione, metribuzin, BAY FOE 5043, and salts thereof. The compositions may also contain the safener benoxacor.

This application has been filed under 35 USC 371 as the national stage of international application PCT/EP 96/01431, filed Apr. 1, 1996.

The present invention relates to a novel herbicidal composition which comprises a combination of herbicidally active ingredients which is suitable for selectively controlling weeds in crops of useful plants, for example in crops of cereals, maize, rice, oilseed rape, sugar beet and sugar cane, in plantation crops, and in crops of cotton and soybeans.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of controlling weeds in crops of useful plants and to the use of this novel composition therefor.

Herbicidal compositions which comprise metolachlor in combination with other known herbicides are compiled, for example, in Research Disclosure No. 37242, Apr. 1995.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that a combination of a certain optical isomer of metolachlor with at least one active ingredient from the abovementioned Research Disclosure, in a ratio varying within specific limits, has a herbicidal action which is capable of effectively controlling the majority of weeds occurring in crops of useful plants preemergence as well as postemergence without causing considerable damage to the useful plant.

The optical isomer of metolachlor which is suitable according to the invention is a RS,1'S(-)-N-(1'-methyl-2'-methoxyethyl)-N-chloroacetyl-2-ethyl-6-methylaniline, of the formula A ##STR1##

which is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,606.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel herbicidal composition for selectively controlling weeds which comprises, as active ingredient, the compound of the formula A ##STR2## and a synergistically effective amount of at least one active ingredient from amongst the substance classes of the formula I

    A--SO.sub.2 --NH--E                                        (I)

in which

A is a radical of the formula ##STR3## of the formula II ##STR4## in which

U--V is a radical of the formula CR₁ ═N, N═CR₁ or NR₁ CO, in which

R₁ is --NHC₃ H₇ -i, --NHC(CH₃)₂ CN, --NHC₄ H₉ -t, --NHC₂ H₅, --SCH₃, CH₃, --Cl, ##STR5##

W--Y is a radical of the formula CR₂ ═N, N═CR₂, NR₂ CO or CR₂ ═CR₃, where

R₂ is hydrogen, --Cl, --NH₂, --NHC₃ H₇ -i or --NHC₂ H₅ and

R₃ is --NH₂, --NHCH₃ or --O--CO--SC₈ H₁₇ and

R is --Cl, --SCH₃, --C₄ H₉ -t, ##STR6## or hydrogen, of the formula III ##STR7## in which

n is 0 or 1,

R₄ is hydrogen,

R₅ is hydrogen, --CH₃ or --NH₂,

R₆ is hydroxyl, --OC₂ H₅, --O--CH(CH₃)₂ --CO₂ C₂ H₅, --NHSO₂ CH₃, --OCH₃, --OC₄ H₉ -n or --OCH₂ --C.tbd.CH and

Q is a radical of the formula ##STR8## in which M is an alkali metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, sulfonium or alkylsulfonium, ##STR9## of the formula IV ##STR10## in which

R₇ is 2--NO₂ or 2--Br,

R₈ is 6--NH₂ or 6--Br, or

R₈ and R₇ together form a radical of the formula --CH(CH₃)₂ --CH(OC₂ H₅)O-- which bridges positions 2 and 3 of the phenyl radical and where the carbon atom of this radical is linked with position 2 and the oxygen atom of this radical with position 3,

R₉ is 3--CH₃, 4--CF₃ or 4--CN,

R₁₀ is hydrogen or 4--CH₃,

X is --O--, --NH--, --NC₃ H₇ -n- or --NC₂ H₅ - and

R₁₁ is hydrogen, --CH(C₂ H₅)₂, --C₃ H₇ -n, --CH₂ --C(CH₃)═CH₂, --CO--C₈ H₁₇ -n-, --CO--C₇ H₁₅ -n or --SO₂ CH₃,

of the formula V ##STR11## in which

Z is a radical of the formula ##STR12##

R₁₂ is hydrogen, --CH₂ OCH₃, --CH₂ OC₂ H₅, --CH(CH₃)CH₂ OCH₃, --C₃ H₇ -i, --CH₂ --C₃ H₇ -i, --C₃ H₇ -n, --CH₃ or --C₂ H₅,

R₁₃ is --N(CH₃)₂, --N(OCH₃)CH₃, --CH₂ Cl, --SC₂ H₅, --SC₃ H₇ -n, --OCH₃, --OC₂ H₅ or ##STR13## or

R₁₃ together with R₁₂ forms a radical of the formula --O--CH₂ --C(CH₃)₂ --CO--, ##STR14## --CH₂ --CH(CH₂ Cl)--CHCl--CO--or of the formula VI ##STR15## in which

R₁₄ is hydrogen or --CH₂ --CH(CH₃)--SC₂ H₅, R₁₅ is --C₂ H₅, --C₃ H₇ -n or ##STR16## and

X₁ is ═O, ═NOC₂ H₅ or ═NOCH₂ --CH═CHCl,

or of the formula VII ##STR17## in which

X₂.sup.⊖ is Cl.sup.⊖ or CH₃ SO₃.sup.⊖, as a mixture with each other.

It is entirely surprising that the combination of the compound of formula A with at least one compound of formulae I to VII is greater than the expected additive action against the weeds to be controlled and thus in particular enhances the activity range of both components in two respects:

On the one hand, the rates of application of the single compounds are reduced while the effectiveness is retained. On the other hand, the novel herbicidal combination also achieves a high degree of weed control where the single compounds have become no longer agriculturally effective at low rates of application. The consequence is a substantial broadening of the activity spectrum against weeds and an additional increase in the selectivity for the cultivated plants that is necessary and desirable in the event of unintentional overapplication of herbicide.

The novel herbicidal combination can be used against a great number of agriculturally important weeds in crops of cultivated plants, including Veronica, Galium, Papaver, Solanum, Chenopodium, Amaranthus, Xanthium, Abutilon, Ambrosia, Sagitaria, Ipomoea, Cassiastora, Datura stramonium, Sesbania exaltata and Sida spinosa. Furthermore, it has emerged that, after application of the compositions according to the invention, the compound of the formula A which they comprise is broken down more rapidly in the treated crop plants, in particular maize, than metolachlor, which is an important advantage.

The compositions according to the invention are suitable for all application methods conventionally used in agriculture, for example preemergence application, postemergence application and seed dressing.

The herbicide mixture according to the invention is preferably suitable for controlling weeds in crops of useful plants such as cereals, rape, sugar beet, sugar cane, in plantation crops, in rice, cotton and, in particular, maize and soybeans.

Crops are also to be understood as meaning those which have been made tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides by conventional breeding or genetic engineering methods.

The combination of active ingredients according to the invention comprises the active ingredient of the formula A and the active ingredient(s) from the substance classes of the formulae I to VII in any ratio, but as a rule, with an excess of one component over the other. Preferred mixing ratios of the active ingredient of the formula A to the other components are, as a rule, between 120:1 and 1:3.

It has been found that very particularly effective synergistic mixtures of active ingredients are the following combinations:

compound of the formula A+atrazine, compound of the formula A+cyanazine,

compound of the formula A+flumetsulam, compound of the formula A+gluphosinate,

compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+metosulam,

compound of the formula A+nicosulfuron, compound of the formula A+pendimethalin,

compound of the formula A+rimsulfuron, compound of the formula A+sulfosate,

compound of the formula A+terbuthylazine or compound of the formula A+2,4-D,

compound of the formula A+bromoxynil, compound of the formula A+dicamba,

compound of the formula A+halosulfuron, compound of the formula A+metribuzine,

compound of the formula A+paraquat, compound of the formula A+primisulfurone,

compound of the formula A+prosulfurone, compound of the formula A+pyridate,

compound of the formula A+rimsulfuron, compound of the formula A+simazine,

compound of the formula A+sulcotrione or compound of the formula A+acetochlor,

compound of the formula A+alachlor, compound of the formula A+ametryne,

compound of the formula A+bentazone, compound of the formula A+butylate,

compound of the formula A+clopyralide, compound of the formula A+BAY FOE 5043,

compound of the formula A+dimethenamide, compound of the formula A+EPTC,

compound of the formula A+linuron, compound of the formula A+propachlor,

compound of the formula A+thifensulfurone, compound of the formula A+trifluralin or

compound of the formula A+bensulfurone, compound of the formula A+chlorimuron-ethyl, compound of the formula A+chlorsulfurone, compound of the formula A+metsulfuron-methyl, compound of the formula A+sulfometuron-methyl,

compound of the formula A+triasulfurone, compound of the formula A+tribenuron-methyl or compound of the formula A+imazaquin, compound of the formula A+imazethapyr and compound of the formula A+imazapyr.

Preferred amongst these combinations of active ingredients are compound of the formula A+atrazine, compound of the formula A+cyanazine, compound of the formula A+flumetsulam, compound of the formula A+gluphosinate, compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+metosulam, compound of the formula A+nicosulfuron, compound of the formula A+pendimethalin, compound of the formula A+rimsulfuron, compound of the formula A+sulfosate and compound of the formula A+terbuthylazine.

Another group of preferred combinations of active ingredients embraces compound of the formula A+atrazine, compound of the formula A+terbutylazine, compound of the formula A+flumetsulam, compound of the formula A+pendimethalin, compound of the formula A+metosulam, compound of the formula A+pyridate, compound of the formula A+pyridate+terbutylazine, compound of the formula A+glyphosphate, compound of the formula A+glufosinate, compound of the formula A+oxosulfuron and compound of the formula A+imazethapyr.

A further group of preferred combinations of active ingredients embraces compound of the formula A+cyanazine, compound of the formula A+nicosulfuron, compound of the formula A+rimsulfuron, compound of the formula A+sulfosate, compound of the formula A+dicamba, compound of the formula A+halosulfuron, compound of the formula A+primisulfuron and compound of the formula A+imazaquin.

Also of importance are the combinations compound of the formula A+primisulfuron+dicamba, compound of the formula A+prosulfuron+dicamba, compound of the formula A+prosulfuron+primisulfuron and compound of the formula A+prosulfuron+primisulfuron+dicamba.

The abovementioned combinations of active ingredients are preferably used in crops of maize.

A further group of preferred combinations of active ingredients is the following:

compound of the formula A+2,4-D, compound of the formula A+gluphosinate,

compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+imazaquin,

compound of the formula A+imazethapyr, compound of the formula A+metribuzin,

compound of the formula A+pendimethalin, compound of the formula A+sulfosate or

compound of the formula A+acifluorfen, compound of the formula A+bentazon,

compound of the formula A+chlorimuron-ethyl, compound of the formula A+clethodim, compound of the formula A+clodinafop, compound of the formula A+clomazone, compound of the formula A+fenoxaprop, compound of the formula A+fluazifop, compound of the formula A+fomesafen, compound of the formula A+linuron,

compound of the formula A+paraquat, compound of the formula A+quizalofop,

compound of the formula A+sethoxydim or compound of the formula A+2,4-DB,

compound of the formula A+acetochlor, compound of the formula A+alachlor,

compound of the formula A+dimethenamide, compound of the formula A+diuron,

compound of the formula A+EPTC, compound of the formula A+ethalfluralin,

compound of the formula A+imazapyr, compound of the formula A+lactofen,

compound of the formula A+norflurazon, compound of the formula A+chloridazon,

compound of the formula A+thifensulfuron-methyl, compound of the formula A+trifluralin or compound of the formula A+bensulfuron, compound of the formula A+chlorsulfuron, compound of the formula A+halosulfuron, compound of the formula A+metsulfuron-methyl, compound of the formula A+primisulfuron compound of the formula A+prosulfuron, compound of the formula A+rimsulfuron, compound of the formula A+sulfometuron-methyl, compound of the formula A+triasulfuron, compound of the formula A+BAY FOE 5043, compound of the formula A+cloransulam,

compound of the formula A+flumetsulam, compound of the formula A+oxosulfuron and compound of the formula A+tribenuron-methyl.

Amongst these, the preferred combinations of active ingredients are compound of the formula A+2,4-D, compound of the formula A+gluphosinate, compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+imazaquin, compound of the formula A+imazethapyrm, compound of the formula A+metribuzin, compound of the formula A+pendimethalin and compound of the formula A+sulfosate.

A further group of preferred combinations of active ingredients embraces compound of the formula A+gluphosinate, compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+imazethapyr, compound of the formula A+pendimethalin, compound of the formula A+oxosulfuron and compound of the formula A+flumetsulam.

The abovementioned combinations of active ingredients are particularly suitable for use in crops of soybeans.

Another group of preferred combinations of active ingredients is compound of the formula A+chloridazon, compound of the formula A+clethodim, compound of the formula A+clodinafop, compound of the formula A+clopyralid, compound of the formula A+cycloate, compound of the formula A+desmedipham, compound of the formula A+endothal, compound of the formula A+EPTC, compound of the formula A+ethofumesate, compound of the formula A+fenoxaprop, compound of the formula A+fluazifop, compound of the formula A+glufosinate, compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+haloxyfop, compound of the formula A+metamitron, compound of the formula A+pebulate, compound of the formula A+phenmedipham, compound of the formula A+quizalofop, compound of the formula A+sethoxydim, compound of the formula A+sulfosate and compound of the formula A+trifluralin.

These combinations are preferably suitable for use in sugar beet.

Furthermore of importance are the combinations of active ingredients compound of the formula A+clethodim, compound of the formula A+clodinafop, compound of the formula A+cyanazine, compound of the formula A+diuron, compound of the formula A +fenoxaprop, compound of the formula A+fluazifop, compound of the formula A+fluometuron, compound of the formula A+fluorchloridone, compound of the formula A+gluphosinate, compound of the formula A+glyphosate, compound of the formula A+haloxyfop, compound of the formula A+norflurazon, compound of the formula A+prometryne, compound of the formula A+pyrithiobac, compound of the formula A+chloridazone, compound of the formula A+quizalofop, compound of the formula A+sethoxydim, compound of the formula A+sulfosate and compound of the formula A+trifluralin, in particular with a view to their application in cotton.

In addition to the compound of the formula A and at least one compound from amongst the substance classes of the formulae I to VII, the synergistic compositions according to the invention can comprise a safener, in particular benoxacor.

The abovementioned active ingredients are described and characterized in "The Pesticide Manual", Tenth Edition, 1994, Crop Protection Publications or in other customary agronomical publications. Oxosulfuron (CGA 277 476) was introduced to the public at the Brighton Crop Protection Conference--Weeds--1995 (Plenary Session 2, Nov. 21, 1995).

The rate of application can vary within a wide range and will depend on the nature of the soil, the type of application (pre- or post-emergence; seed dressing; application to the seed furrow; no-tillage application etc.), the crop plant, the weed to be controlled, the respective prevailing climatic conditions, and on other factors governed by the type and timing of application and the target crop. In general, the mixture of active ingredients according to the invention can be applied in a rate of application of 300 to 4,000 g of mixture of active ingredients/ha.

In the composition according to the invention, the weight ratio of the component of the formula A to at least one compound from amongst the substance classes of the formulae I to VII is from 1:10 to 1:0.001.

If the composition comprises a safener, the weight ratio of herbicide of the formula (A) to safener is preferably 5:1 to 30:1.

The compositions according to the invention can be used in unmodified form, i.e. as obtained by synthesis, but they are preferably processed in a conventional manner with the auxiliaries conventionally employed in the art of formulation, for example to give emulsifiable concentrates, if they are not sulfonylureas, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules or microcapsules. The types of application, such as spraying, atomizing, dusting, wetting, scattering or pouring, and the type of composition are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances.

The formulations, i.e. the compositions, preparations or products comprising the active ingredients of the formulae A and I, II, III, IV, V, VI or VII and, if desired, a safener and/or one or more solid or liquid formulation auxiliaries, are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by intimately mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with the formulation auxiliaries, for example solvents or solid carriers. Furthermore, surface-active compounds (surfactants) can additionally be used when preparing the formulations.

Suitable solvents may typically be: aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably the fractions containing 8 to 12 carbon atoms such as mixtures of alkylbenzenes, typically xylene mixtures or alkylated naphthalenes; aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons such as paraffins, cyclohexane or tetrahydronaphthalene; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol or butanol; glycols and their ethers and esters such as propylene glycol or dipropylene glycol ether; ketones such as cyclohexanone, isophorone or diacetone alcohol; strongly polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide or water, vegetable oils and their esters such as rapeseed oil, castor oil or soybean oil; and in some cases also silicone oils.

The solid carriers typically used for dusts and dispersible powders are usually natural mineral fillers such as calcite, talcum, kaolin, montmorillonite or attapulgite. To improve the physical properties it is also possible to add highly dispersed silicic acid or highly dispersed absorbent polymers. Suitable granulated adsorptive carriers are porous types, including pumice, broken brick, sepiolite or bentonite; and suitable nonsorbent carriers are materials such as calcite or sand. In addition, innumerable pregranulated materials of inorganic or organic origin may be used, especially dolomite or pulverised plant residues.

Depending on the type of compound of formula I to be formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are nonionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. Surfactants will also be understood as comprising mixtures of surfactants.

Suitable anionic surfactants may be water-soluble soaps as well as water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds.

Suitable soaps are the alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts or substituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acids (C₁₀ -C₂₂), e.g. the sodium or potassium salts of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures which can be obtained, inter alia from coconut oil or tallow oil. Further suitable soaps are also the fatty acid methyl taurin salts.

More often, however, so-called synthetic surfactants are used, especially fatty sulfonates, fatty sulfates, sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives or alkylarylsulfonates.

The fatty alcohol sulfonates or sulfates are usually in the form of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts or substituted ammonium salts, and they contain a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl radical which also includes the alkyl moiety of acyl radicals, e.g. the sodium or calcium salt of ligninsulfonic acid, of dodecylsulfate, or of a mixture of fatty alcohol sulfates obtained from natural fatty acids. These compounds also comprise the salts of sulfated or sulfonated fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide adducts. The sulfonated benzimidazole derivatives preferably contain 2 sulfonic acid groups and one fatty acid radical containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Illustrative examples of alkylarylsulfonates are the sodium, calcium or triethanolamine salts of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, or of a condensate of naphthalenesulfonic acid and formaldehyde.

Corresponding phosphates, typically salts of the phosphoric acid ester of an adduct of p-nonylphenol with 4 to 14 mol of ethylene oxide, or phospholipids, are also suitable.

Nonionic surfactants are preferably polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohols, or saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and alkylphenols, said derivatives containing 3 to 30 glycol ether groups and 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the (aliphatic) hydrocarbon moiety and 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety of the alkylphenols.

Further suitable nonionic surfactants are the water-soluble polyadducts of polyethylene oxide with polypropylene glycol, ethylenediaminopolypropylene glycol and alkylpolypropylene glycol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which polyadducts contain 20 to 250 ethylene glycol ether groups and 10 to 100 propylene glycol ether groups. These compounds usually contain 1 to 5 ethylene glycol units per propylene glycol unit.

Illustrative examples of nonionic surfactants are nonylphenol polyethoxylates, polyethoxylated castor oil, polyadducts of polypropylene and polyethylene oxide, tributylphenol polyethoxylate, polyethylene glycol and octylphenol polyethoxylate.

Fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan are also suitable nonionic surfactants, typically polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate.

Cationic surfactants are preferably quaternary ammonium salts carrying, as N-substituent, at least one C₈ -C₂ alkyl radical and, as further substituents, optionally halogenated lower alkyl, benzyl or hydroxy-lower alkyl radicals. The salts are preferably in the form of halides, methyl sulfates or ethyl sulfates, for example stearyl trimethylammonium chloride or benzyl bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylammonium bromide.

The surfactants customarily employed in the art of formulation are described, inter alia, in "Mc Cutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual", Mc Publishing Corp., Glen Rock, N.J. 1988, H. Stache, "Tensid-Taschenbuch" (Handbook of Surfactants), Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich/Vienna 1981, and M. and J. Ash, "Encyclopedia of Surfactants", Vol I-III, Chemical Publishing Co., N.Y., 1980-81.

The herbicidal compositions will usually contain from 0.1 to 99% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 95% by weight, of a combination of the compound of formula A with the compounds of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI or VII, from 1 to 99.9% by weight of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and from 0 to 25% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 25% by weight, of a surfactant.

Whereas it is preferred to formulate commercial products as concentrates, the end user will normally use dilute formulations.

The formulations may also contain further ingredients such as stabilisers, vegetable oils or epoxidised vegetable oils, (epoxidised coconut oil, rapeseed oil or soybean oil), antifoams, typically silicone oil, preservatives, viscosity regulators, binders, tackifiers, as well as fertilisers or other chemical agents.

In particular, preferred formulations are made up as follows (throughout, percentages are by weight):

Emulsifiable Concentrates

herbicidal combination: 1 to 90%, preferably 5 to 20%

surfactant: 1 to 30%, preferably 10 to 20%

liquid carrier: 5 to 94%, preferably 70 to 85%

Dusts

herbicidal combination: 0.1 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%

solid carrier: 99.9 to 90%, preferably 99.9 to 99%

Suspension Concentrates

herbicidal combination: 5 to 75%, preferably 10 to 50%

water: 94 to 24%, preferably 88 to 30%

surfactant: 1 to 40%, preferably 2 to 30%

Wettable Powders

herbicidal combination: 0.5 to 90%, preferably 1 to 80%

surfactant: 0.5 to 20%, preferably 1 to 15%

solid carrier: 5 to 95%, preferably 15 to 90%

Granulates

herbicidal combination: 0.1 to 30%, preferably 0.1 to 15%

solid carrier: 99.5 to 70%, preferably 97 to 85%

The invention is illustrated by the following non-limitative Examples.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES Combinations of the Compounds of Formulae A, I, II, III, IV, V, VI or VII (Throughout, Percentages are by Weight)

    ______________________________________                                         F1. Emulsifiable concentrates                                                                   a)      b)      c)    d)                                      ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                    5%      10%     25%   50%                                       formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formulae I to VII                                                              calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 6%  8%  6%  8%                                 polyethoxylated castor oil 4% --  4%  4%                                       (36 mol EO)                                                                    octylphenol polyethoxylate --  4% --  2%                                       (7-8 mol EO)                                                                   cyclohexanone -- -- 10% 20%                                                    mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons 85%  78% 55% 16%                              C.sub.9 --C.sub.12                                                           ______________________________________                                    

Emulsions of any desired concentration can be prepared by diluting such concentrates with water.

    ______________________________________                                         F2. Solutions    a)      b)      c)    d)                                      ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                     5%     10%     50%   90%                                       formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               1-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)- -- 20% 20% --                                  propane                                                                        polyethylene glycol 400 20% 10% -- --                                          N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone -- -- 30% 10%                                           mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons 75% 60% -- --                                 C.sub.9 --C.sub.12                                                           ______________________________________                                    

The solutions are suitable for use as microdrops.

    ______________________________________                                         F3. Wettable powders                                                                            a)      b)      c)    d)                                      ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                    5%      25%     50%   80%                                       formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               sodium ligninsulfonate 4% -- 3% --                                             sodium laurylsulfate 2% 3% -- 4%                                               sodium diisobutylnaphthalene                                                   sulfonate -- 6% 5% 6%                                                          octylphenol polyethoxylate -- 1% 2% --                                         (7-8 mol EO)                                                                   highly dispersed silica 1% 3% 5% 10%                                           kaolin 88%  62%  35%  --                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The compound mixture is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and this mixture is ground in a suitable mill to give wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of any desired concentration.

    ______________________________________                                         F4. Coated granulates                                                                            a)        b)     c)                                          ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                     0.1%      5%     15%                                           formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               highly dispersed silica 0.9% 2%  2%                                            inorganic carrier 99.0%  93%  83%                                              (.O slashed.0.1-1 mm)                                                          e.g. CaCO.sub.3  or SiO.sub.2                                                ______________________________________                                    

The compound mixture is dissolved in methylene chloride, the solution is sprayed on to the carrier, and the solvent is removed under vacuum.

    ______________________________________                                         F5. Coated granulates                                                                            a)        b)     c)                                          ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                     0.1%      5%     15%                                           formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               polyethylene glycol 200 1.0% 2%  3%                                            highly dispersed silica 0.9% 1%  2%                                            inorganic carrier 98.0%  92%  80%                                              (.O slashed.0.1-1 mm)                                                          e.g. CaCO.sub.3  or SiO.sub.2                                                ______________________________________                                    

The finely ground compound mixture is uniformly applied in a mixer to the kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granulates are obtained in this manner.

    ______________________________________                                         F6. Extruder granulates                                                                        a)       b)      c)    d)                                      ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                   0.1%     3%      5%    15%                                       formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               sodium ligninsulfonate 1.5% 2% 3%  4%                                          carboxymethyl cellulose 1.4% 2% 2%  2%                                         kaolin 97.0%  93%  90%  79%                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The compound mixture is mixed with the adjuvants and the mixture is moistened with water. This mixture is extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

    ______________________________________                                         F7. Dusts         a)        b)     c)                                          ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                      0.1%      1%     5%                                           formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               talcum 39.9% 49% 35%                                                           kaolin 60.0% 50% 60%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Ready for use dusts are obtained by mixing the compound mixture with the carriers on a suitable mill.

    ______________________________________                                         F8. Suspension concentrates                                                                    a)       b)      c)    d)                                      ______________________________________                                         combination of a compound of                                                                   3%       10%     25%   50%                                       formula A and a herbicide of                                                   formula I to VII                                                               ethylene glycol 5% 5% 5% 5%                                                    nonylphenol polyethoxylate --  1% 2% --                                        (15 mol EO)                                                                    sodium ligninsulfonate 3% 3% 4% 5%                                             carboxymethyl cellulose 1% 1% 1% 1%                                            37% aqueous formaldehyde   0.2%   0.2%   0.2%   0.2%                           solution                                                                       silicone oil emulsion   0.8%   0.8%   0.8%   0.8%                              water 87%  79%  62%  38%                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The finely ground compound mixture is homogeneously mixed with the adjuvants to give a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be prepared by dilution with water.

It is often more expedient to formulate the compound of formula A and the components of formula I to VII individually and only to combine them shortly before application in the applicator in the desired mixture ratio as tank mixture.

It can further prove advantageous to apply the active ingredient of the formula A, if desired in combination with the safener; separated in time from one or more active ingredients of the formulae I to VII. It is also possible to apply the active ingredient of the formula A separated in time from one or more active ingredients of the formulae I to VII, if desired in combination with the safener. The results obtained for the compositions according to the invention show an increased selectivity with respect to the crop plants in comparison to corresponding mixtures as in the abovementioned Research Disclosure.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example B1

Postemergence Test

Monocotyledon and dicotyledon test plants are grown in the greenhouse in plastic pots containing standard soil and, at the 4- to 6-leaf stage, sprayed with an aqueous suspension of the test substances prepared from a 25% wettable powder (Example F3.), which corresponds to a dose of 2,000 g of a.i./ha (500 1 of water/ha). The test plants are then grown on in the greenhouse under optimal conditions. After a test period of approximately 18 days, the test is evaluated using a nine-step assessment scale (1 =complete damage, 9=no action). Assessment grades from 1 to 4 (in particular 1 to 3) describe a good to very good herbicidal action. In this test, the compositions according to the invention have a potent herbicidal action. The same results are obtained when the compositions according to the invention are formulated as described in Examples F1 to F2 and F4 to F8.

Example B2

Herbicidal Action Before Emergence of the Plants

Monocotyledon and dicotyledon test plants are sown in plastic pots in standard soil. Immediately after sowing, the test substances are sprayed on in the form of an emulsion concentrate (Example F1.) in the dose shown in Table 1 (500 1 of water/ha). The test plants are subsequently grown in the greenhouse under optimal conditions. After a test period of 4 weeks, the test is evaluated: 100% means complete damage, 0% means no action. 100% to 80% and, in particular, 100 to 85%, describe a good to very good herbicidal action.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                                   Flumetsulam in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 10 0 0 0 0                                                               Cyperus 80 60 60 30 20                                                         Panicum 95 95 70 30 0                                                          Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                         Flumetsulam in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 10 0 0 0 0                                                               Cyperus 70 50 20 20 20                                                         Panicum 98 70 60 30 30                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                                   Imazethapyr in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 20 20 20 20 20                                                           Brachiaria 100 100 95 95 95                                                    Cyperus 100 100 70 60 60                                                       Panicum 100 100 95 90 90                                                       Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                         Imazethapyr in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 25 25 20 20 20                                                           Brachiaria 100 95 95 85 75                                                     Cyperus 100 70 70 60 60                                                        Panicum 98 95 80 80 80                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                                   Oxosulfuron in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 80 70 70 70 70                                                           Brachiaria 98 98 95 90 90                                                      Cyperus 100 80 60 50 20                                                        Panicum 98 98 95 60 50                                                         Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                         Oxosulfuron in g/ha 30 30 30 30 30                                             Maize 80 70 75 75 70                                                           Brachiaria 90 98 80 80 80                                                      Cyperus 95 40 30 20 20                                                         Panicum 98 90 90 60 60                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                                   Pendimethalin in g/ha 125 125 125 125 125                                      Maize 0 0 0 0 0                                                                Cyperus 70 70 50 30 0                                                          Panicum 100 95 95 95 95                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100 50                                         Pendimethalin in g/ha 125 125 125 125 125                                      Maize 0 0 0 0 0                                                                Cyperus 60 50 40 20 0                                                          Panicum 100 95 95 80 80                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The compositions according to the invention have a pronounced herbicidal action. The same results are obtained when the compositions according to the invention are formulated as described in Examples F2 to F8.

Example B3

Combination of Pre- and Postemergence Herbicidal Action

Monocotyledon and dicotyledon test plants are sown in standard soil in plastic pots.

Immediately after sowing, each of them is sprayed with the compound of the formula A as an emulsion concentrate (Example F1.) in the dose shown in Table 2 (500 1 of water/ha). The test plants are then grown in the greenhouse under optimal conditions. When the plants have reached the 2- to 3-leaf stage (fully developed leaves of the reference plant maize), they are sprayed with component 2 of the test combination, prepared from one of the abovementioned formulations F2 to F8, in the dose mentioned in the table (500 1 of water/ha). The test plants are then grown on under optimal conditions. After a test period of approximately 5 weeks, the test is evaluated: 100% describes complete damage, 0% no action. 100% to 80% and, in particular, 100 to 85%, describe a good to very good herbicidal action. Tables 5 to 9: Combination of pre- and postemergence application

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                                      Atrazine in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                               Maize 0 0 0 0                                                                  Brachiaria 80 95 45 20                                                         Sorghum bic. 95 95 45 20                                                       Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                            Atrazine in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                               Maize 10 0 0 0                                                                 Brachiaria 70 55 5 0                                                           Sorghum bic. 75 45 5 0                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                                      Metosulam in g/ha 120 60 30 15                                                 Maize 5 5 0 0                                                                  Brachiaria 97 60 30 30                                                         Sorghum bic. 85 80 30 30                                                       Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                            Metosulam in g/ha 120 60 30 15                                                 Maize 0 0 0 0                                                                  Brachiaria 90 35 5 0                                                           Sorghum bic. 85 40 5 0                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                                      Terbuthylazine in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                         Maize 0 0 0 0                                                                  Brachiaria 60 50 15 0                                                          Sorghum bic. 60 50 15 0                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                            Terbuthylazine in g/ha 600 400 200 100                                         Maize 0 0 0 0                                                                  Brachiaria 55 20 5 0                                                           Sorghum bic. 35 20 5 0                                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 600 400  200 100                                                     Glyphosate in g/ha 600 400  200 100                                            Maize  15 10  0 0                                                              Brachiaria 100 95  40 15                                                       Sorghum bic. 100 98  80 20                                                     Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 600 400  200 100                                           Glyphosate in g/ha 600 400  200 100                                            Maize -- 20  5 0                                                               Brachiaria -- 95  40 0                                                         Sorghum bic. -- 98  30 0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Compound of the formula A in g/ha                                                Other component in g/ha                                                        A in g/ha 70 35 17 8.5                                                         Imazethapyr in g/ha 500  250  125  60                                          Maize 10  0  0 0                                                               Brachiaria 100  95 60 40                                                       Sorghum bic. 100  90 80 60                                                     Metolachlor in g/ha                                                            Other component in g/ha                                                        Metolachlor in g/ha 70 35 17 8.5                                               Imazethapyr in g/ha 500  250  125  60                                          Maize 10  0  0 0                                                               Brachiaria 98 60 40 10                                                         Sorghum bic. 95 90 60 50                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The compositions according to the invention have a pronounced herbicidal action. The same results are obtained when the compositions according to the invention are formulated as shown in Examples F2 to F8. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A herbicidal composition comprising a compound of the formula ##STR18## and at least one additional herbicidally active ingredient selected from the group consisting of atrazine, terbuthylazine, flumetsulam, pendimethalin, metosulam, pyridate, glyphosate, gluphosinate, cyanazine, dicamba, halosulfuron, prosulfuron, primisulfuron, sulcotrione, metribuzin, BAY FOE 5043; and salts thereof.
 2. A herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which further comprises an antidotally effective amount of benoxacor.
 3. A herbicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula A and the at least one additional active ingredient are present in a weight ratio of from 1:10 to 1:0.001.
 4. A herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which comprises a compound of the formula A, atrazine and flumetsulam.
 5. A herbicidal composition according to claim 4, which further comprises an antidotally effective amount of benoxacor.
 6. A herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which comprises a compound of the formula A, atrazine and dicamba.
 7. A herbicidal composition according to claim 6, which further comprises an antidotally effective amount of benoxacor.
 8. A herbicidal composition according to claim 1, which comprises a compound of the formula A, prosulfuron and primisulfuron.
 9. A method of controlling undesirable plant growth in crops of useful plants, which comprises exposing the crop plant or its environment to a herbicidally active amount of a composition according to claim
 1. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the crop plants are cereals, rice, oilseed rape, sugar beet, sugar cane, plantation crops, cotton and, in particular, maize and soybeans.
 11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the crops of useful plants are treated with the abovementioned composition at rates of application which correspond to 0.3 to 4.0 kg of the total amount of active ingredient per hectare.
 12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the exposure of the crop plant or its environment to the compound of the formula A is separated in time from exposure to at least one additional herbicidally active ingredient selected from the group consisting of atrazine, terbuthylazine, flumetsulam, pendimethalin, metosulam, pyridate, glyphosate, gluphosinate, cyanazine, dicamba, halosulfuron, prosulfuron, primisulfuron, sulcotrione, metribuzin, BAY FOE 5043; and salts thereof.
 13. A method according to claim 9, which further comprises exposing the crop plant or its environment to an antidotally effective amount of benoxacor. 